Recommendations for Newly Confirmed ATF Director Steve Dettelbach

This coalition letter, led by the Center for American Progress in partnership with gun violence prevention and allied organizations, includes a list of immediate actions the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can take to reduce gun violence.

Advancing Racial Equity and Justice, Gun Violence Prevention

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Sensible Solutions To Prevent Gun Violence in the U.S.

A crowd is gathered to protest gun violence, with one sign that says,

Sensible Solutions To Prevent Gun Violence in the U.S.

On July 12, 2022, the Senate confirmed Steve Dettelbach as director of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a role that has been vacant since 2015. In this letter, the Center for American Progress and partner organizations make more than 30 recommendations to Director Dettelbach on how to enhance oversight of the gun industry, implement measures to combat gun trafficking, prevent domestic violence shootings, reduce firearm suicides, and increase transparency.

Read the full letter here.

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. A full list of supporters is available here. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.

Authors

Nick Wilson

Senior Director, Gun Violence Prevention

Allison Jordan

Policy Analyst, Gun Violence Prevention

Team

Gun Violence Prevention

Our goal is to reduce gun violence by enacting strong gun laws, increasing investment in local solutions, and growing the movement dedicated to this mission.

Explore The Series

Sensible Solutions To Prevent Gun Violence in the U.S.

Gun violence in the United States is a pervasive public health issue. Ending this crisis requires a multipronged approach to address the many forms of gun violence that affect our communities. Firearm suicides, homicides, intimate partner and domestic violence, community gun violence, gun trafficking, and more all contribute to the immediate and growing need for comprehensive gun violence prevention policies.

Gun violence is not inevitable. The following resources discuss sensible solutions to address the gun violence epidemic.

The United States Must Address Its Gun Trafficking Crisis

ATF agents are seen in shadows next to a pickup truck bed holding seized and purchased guns in Maryland.

The United States Must Address Its Gun Trafficking Crisis

Debunking Myths the Gun Lobby Perpetuates Following Mass Shootings

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Recommendations for Newly Confirmed ATF Director Steve Dettelbach